Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago
On the evening of Friday, December 5th, we were absolutely thrilled and delighted to feature saxophonist/composer Jon Irabagon (ORD). Joining him on the bill are tubist/composer Tony Zilincik (CMH) and the jazz improv group Billy Wolfe Quartet (CMH).
Supporters of our 2025-2026 season include the Greater Columbus Arts Council, the Ohio Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Columbus Foundation. Our partner for this show was A Tribe For Jazz.
About the artist:
Born and raised north of Chicago in Mundelein, Illinois, Billy Wolfe began playing piano at the age of 5 and saxophone at the age of 10. Billy earned a bachelor of music degree from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where he began his professional career playing with bands such as Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra, the Dayton Jazz Orchestra, and the Brian Michael Smith-John Vermeulen Octet. In 2009, Billy decided to pursue a master of music degree from DePaul University. It was during this period that he first began exploring the creative possibilities of contemporary large ensemble music, an interest inspired by his studies with Tom Matta and experiences performing with several Chicago area new music groups. After spending roughly a decade in the Washington DC metropolitan area, Billy recently returned to Columbus where he can be found freelancing with a wide array of Ohio musicians. He currently leads Billy Wolfe Octet and The Tristano School Project as well as co-leading the nine piece MW9 ensemble with Baltimore based trumpeter Leo Maxey and the New Orleans trad/funk inspired District Brass alongside David Agee. Billy is also is a member of the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra, The Rick Brunetto Big Band, The Brad Linde Expanded Ensemble, Joe Duran’s Projections, Will Strickler’s Parallel Structures, and the avant-garde quartet/quintet, “Team Players”.
On the evening of Friday, December 5th, we were absolutely thrilled and delighted to feature saxophonist/composer Jon Irabagon (ORD). Joining him on the bill are tubist/composer Tony Zilincik (CMH) and the jazz improv group Billy Wolfe Quartet (CMH).
Supporters of our 2025-2026 season include the Greater Columbus Arts Council, the Ohio Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Columbus Foundation. Our partner for this show was A Tribe For Jazz.
About the artist:
Born and raised north of Chicago in Mundelein, Illinois, Billy Wolfe began playing piano at the age of 5 and saxophone at the age of 10. Billy earned a bachelor of music degree from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where he began his professional career playing with bands such as Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra, the Dayton Jazz Orchestra, and the Brian Michael Smith-John Vermeulen Octet. In 2009, Billy decided to pursue a master of music degree from DePaul University. It was during this period that he first began exploring the creative possibilities of contemporary large ensemble music, an interest inspired by his studies with Tom Matta and experiences performing with several Chicago area new music groups. After spending roughly a decade in the Washington DC metropolitan area, Billy recently returned to Columbus where he can be found freelancing with a wide array of Ohio musicians. He currently leads Billy Wolfe Octet and The Tristano School Project as well as co-leading the nine piece MW9 ensemble with Baltimore based trumpeter Leo Maxey and the New Orleans trad/funk inspired District Brass alongside David Agee. Billy is also is a member of the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra, The Rick Brunetto Big Band, The Brad Linde Expanded Ensemble, Joe Duran’s Projections, Will Strickler’s Parallel Structures, and the avant-garde quartet/quintet, “Team Players”.
